ABSTRACT
Botanical extracts may represent an important area of research in the prevention of ultraviolet (UV)- induced skin cancers and aging. UVB radiation includes medium wavelengths ranging between 280 and 320 nm, and UVA light includes longer waves that span between 320 and 400 nm. UVB rays constitute approximately 5% of total solar UV light. They are primarily responsible for sunburn and are an important agent in the development of cancers such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.1 Specically, UVB light acts predominantly on the epidermal basal layer of the skin and has genotoxic effects, including the formation of pyrimidine photoproducts, stimulation of DNA synthesis, free radical production, and cell cycle growth arrest.2 In contrast, UVA radiation comprises more than 90% of solar radiation but only accounts for 10% of the carcinogenic dose of sunlight.3 UVA light readily penetrates deeper cutaneous layers and contributes to photoaging through multiple mechanisms, such as reactive oxygen species formation, DNA damage, and induction of inammation.2
